Tests for diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma

Bronchogenic carcinoma continues to be a significant cause of both morbidity and mortality. Despite the attempts to reduce exposure to known causative agents, such as tobacco, the incidence of lung cancer continues to rise. New methods are being developed to aid in the early detection and localization of lung cancer in hopes that overall survival can be improved. More accurate staging may prevent patients who have advanced disease from encountering the morbidity associated with thoracotomy. This review summarizes some of the new methods being evaluated to assist in the early diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma.